When I was growing up, I dreamed of faraway places. If you read the book "When I Was Young in the Mountains" the last page says, "When I was young in the mountains, I never wanted to go to the city and I never wanted to go to the ocean - for I was in the mountains and that was always enough." It is a beautiful book about growing up in WV that I have read many times to Luke and Blake. I just can't relate to that last thought though. Because I did always long to travel and see new and exciting places and cultures. And I have to admit that I don't quite understand people who don't have just a little appetite to see the world beyond. I've been fortunate enough to live for a year in Asia and spent two weeks in Europe seeing some of the most beautiful villages you can imagine. Travel helps you understand the world is a big yet small place. I have a necklace that says "Not all who wander are lost." I've never felt lost. I've always felt like I had a pretty good sense of who I am. But if I had the available funds and means - I could live out of a backpack (Yes - my orange one, Justin! Well - maybe I do need a new one!) with my kids and husband going from place to place seeing all the world has to offer.
Most every parent spoils their kids in some way. Whether it's by letting them rule the roost on their choice of foods, TV programs, games and such (which we DO NOT do!)or putting only name brand clothing on their bodies (I'm not too proud to shop at thrift stores - you can get some really good deals!). We spend our little extra on showing our kids the world and hopefully helping them become more balanced and appreciative. So, yes - they've done a lot and seen more than some of adults. But I bet you anything that someday we'll see it was time well spent.
Our latest trip was this past weekend to NYC. We scored a half price hotel room online that was in the heart of the Broadway district! The room was small but as I said - IT WAS ON BROADWAY! Whoo Hoo! We traveled by train to Penn Station and spent Friday afternoon visiting the Statue of Liberty. We just missed the time cut-off to buy tickets to go inside but the woman at the counter saw Luke and his sad disappointed look and slid out four free tickets making us promise not to tell anyone. And who said New Yorkers are rude? We walked almost 200 steps to the top of the pedestal. My legs still hurt and the ferry ride back made me sick as we hit choppy waters. BUT - the boys loved it. It's the Statue of Liberty after all!
We dined at ESPN zone that night in Times Square and the next day we took the subway to the Bronx. Again - not as scary as the movies make it look. We met a lot of nice people. We were all decked out in Yankee gear but I'm sure it was clear we were tourists. It was pretty exciting to be in such a legendary stadium where players such as Babe Ruth and Micky Mantle played. The Yankees lost but that's ok we still had a fantastic time.
On our way home we stopped by Central Park (purely by accident). It was beautiful. We also got a look at some of the Trump buildings in that area. It's amazing how one city has so many personalities.
The highlight for me was Saturday night when our hotel was able to get us their last four tickets to the sold out performance of "The Lion King". The show was so beautiful that I could have cried. Blake earned laughs from hundreds of people when he yelled out "She's funny!" after a big number by the woman who played Rafiki. That's our Blake. He said during the last of three songs - "I'm tired and going to sleep". He passed out and missed the big finale. We had had a LONG day!
Both Luke and Blake said after this visit they wanted to live in NYC one day. This is also what they say when we return from visits to the mountains of WV or the beaches of SC. I told them if they're ever going to live in NYC do it while they're young and single or they'll never do it. Luke asked "Why?" One day he'll know why. In the meantime, they're growing up fast here in the suburbs. We're just trying to make the time count. It will be amazing to see where in this big world their hearts will take them one day.
